Animal Bites

California Dog Bite Lawyers

Peach & Weathers in San Bernardino and Riverside

We choose to own dogs for many reasons, including companionship, sport, and personal protection. However, many dogs that are used for personal protection are bred to be naturally vicious. When these dogs run amok, they can cause permanent damage and disfigurement to the people unfortunate enough to run into them.

Years of Successful Representation of Victims of Personal Injury

Call our office at 909.693.3438, toll free 888.626.7936

Did you know:

  • Third party claims from dog bites average in the thousands of dollars?
  • Some homeowner's insurance companies exempt certain breeds from liability coverage. Homeowners insurance can be at risk due a dangerous dog.
  • Dog owners are subject to fines and court costs. Dogs could be impounded, bound by legal restrictions or even destroyed.
  • The state of California is considering additional legislation that could impose severe restrictions on dog owners and the breeding and ownership of certain breeds.
  • Every dog will bite under the right set of circumstances!
  • Leash laws state it is unlawful to allow animals to roam, stray or run at large.

Cal Civ Code § 3342. (2003)

3342. (a) The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner.

Two Key elements of a dog bite claim:

  • The defendant was the owner of the dog in question
  • The dog bite did occur

Although sometimes it can be difficult, ownership can usually be established by licensing and vaccination records, as well as by the testimony of witnesses. In most dog bite cases there is substantial physical evidence of a dog bite, allowing the second element to be established.

It has been the belief of some people that "every dog is allowed one bite." However this is simply not true in strict liability states such as California. Any dog bite occurring in the cities or counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, the law is clear, good prior behavior from the dog will not exonerate the owner from responsibility.

Strict Liability for Injuries Caused by Dogs

Dog bites are so serious that owners of dogs are held completely responsible for the injuries and damages caused by their dog. This is known as "strict liability." It means the owner of a dog must pay compensatory and/or punitive damages for any dog that has been shown to have injured another person. Not only does this concept apply to the owners of dogs, but is can also apply to business owners and landlords who allow a dangerous dog to come onto their property.

What should you do if you are bitten by a dog?

If you are bitten or attacked by a dog:

  • Contact your physician. If you are in need of immediate medical help, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
  • Report the bite to your local animal control agency. Tell the animal control official everything, what the dog looks like, where you saw him, whether you've seen him before, and in which direction he went after the attack

Statutes of Limitation

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a dog bite, you only have a limited amount of time to bring a lawsuit. Laws that prevent you from bringing a lawsuit after a specific period of time are referred to as "statutes of limitation." If you even suspect that a lawsuit may arise from a dog bite, you will be best served by contacting an attorney as soon as possible in order to preserve your right to sue if it becomes necessary.

If you have been injured or disfigured because of a dog bite, you need an experienced California dog bite lawyer who can get you the compensation you need to get your life back to normal. Serving clients in San Bernardino, Riverside, and all of southern California. Call our office at 909.693.3438, toll free 888.626.7936 or fill out our online contact form to give us more information about your case.